Daily Collegian - Brothers Act as Big Brothers

Loyal friends: Local kids have fun with their Big Brothers and Big Sisters

In August, 12-year-old Andy Carlson found a new friend. This new friend, Andrew, loved to watch movies and, like Andy, was looking for someone to share special times with. 

The difference between their relationship and relationships Andy has had before is that Andrew is not in junior high school. University student Andrew Donnelly (senior-geosciences) is his Big Brother.

The two spend time together every week. They go for walks with Acacia fraternity's house dog, cross-country ski, go to football games, shop downtown or just hang out. They often go to movies or spend time at Andy's house watching more movies on his video cassette recorder.

Nada Ottenstein, coordinator of the Big Brother / Big Sister program in Centre County, said big and little brothers are carefully matched after a 45 minute to an hour interview.

"The program has grown tremendously in the last five years and each year it serves up to 350 children," Ottenstein said. "Two hundred and forty-five children are active in the program, but only 104 of them are placed. That leaves a lot of kids waiting."

The youths involved range in age from five to 17, she said. Adult volunteers are 18 years old and up.

"We've had grandparents that have been very successful and college students make very good volunteers," Ottenstein said.

Getting started in the program involves attending a general orientation meeting and taking a six-hour training course, Ottenstein said. The course explains how to help the child talk about his or her problems and how to offer encouragement.

The program offers continuing training with professionals supervising the relationships. The volunteer submits brief monthly reports. The reports are aimed at discovering the nature of the relationship, progress made or any problems that the agency can assist with, Ottenstein said.

Andy said his Big Brother helps him with his problems and also takes him away from some of them for a time.

"He helps me with my homework if I need it, and if you get mad at your mom, you can call him and get away for a while," he said.

Andy said he enjoys going to Donnelly's fraternity where he can play pool or watch television with the fraternity brothers.

"It gives me a perspective of what it's like in college," he said.

Ottenstein requests that volunteers spend a minimum of nine months to a year and about four hours per week with a child.

Donnelly said he first thought of joining when his fraternity president mentioned it in a meeting.

"It's a really good experience and I'd recommend it to anyone," Donnelly said. "It's enjoyable and I'm trying to get some other people involved."

Donnely will leave the University for graduate school in the fall, but he plans to write to Andy and visit him as often as possible.

Near the end of a college student's stay here, the program provides a workshop on how to end the relationship because, as Ottenstein said, "You can't sneak out of town."

Bob Mills (senior-business management) and David Ferro (senior-accounting), two Theta Chi fraternity members, are also Big Brothers. Last week they took their little brothers, ages 13 and 15, to Gettysburg while on fraternity business. Fraternity business took only 10 minutes, so they spent the rest of the day with the boys.

Mills said trips like the one to Gettysburg are rare. More time is spent exploring the State College area — walking to the deer pens and going to fish hatcheries.

"It makes me feel good to help somebody out who hasn't had a role model like a father, and you get a lasting friend," Mills said. "Being with a younger person, you learn to appreciate opportunities once taken for granted."

Ferro said that much of the time with his little brother is spent doing things he would have to do anyway.

If he has to go to the mall, Ferro said he takes his little brother. His little brother helps him wash his car and clean the house. In return, Ferro said he buys him lunch.

"A lot of people think they don't have time," Mills said. "I'm taking 19 credits and I'm house manager and I still find time."

Jody Lawless (senior-marketing), a Big Sister since last February, has had similar experiences with her 15-year-old little sister.

"My father was a Big Brother about 15 years ago," Lawless said. "He told me about his experiences and it is something I've always wanted to do."

Lawless spends time with her little sister going shopping, baking cookies in her apartment or spending time at her little sister's house.

"It really is a good opportunity for college students," she said, "You're locked into the college scene and it gives you a chance to retreat back to being a kid."

Two fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Theta Chi — are sponsoring events this semester with the Big Brother / Big Sister program.

Steve Balliet, president of Delta Upsilon, said this will be the second year that an Easter egg hunt is held at the house.

"Last year it rained, so we moved the Easter Egg hunt into the house and made the best of it," Balliet said, "The Easter Bunny came and brought baskets of candy for all the kids. It was a lot of fun."

Ferro said Theta Chi members plan an activity day for the big and little brothers at their house. They will have some competitions, such as a three-legged race. Prizes will be awarded and lunch will be provided for the participants.